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Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 1:44 pm
by boozyoldman
Is one right to smell fish when reading this on the DAVE"S ESL CAFE website?



Drive development in Cambodia through language teaching in Phnom Penh!


Posted By: Conversations With Foreigners <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, 27 October 2016, at 1:27 p.m.

Driving development through English teaching.

Conversations With Foreigners is a popular non-profit English language center in Phnom Penh providing affordable English classes to Khmer students from all walks of life.

International volunteers teach conversational English in a fun and informal setting through a student-centric and activity-based style. Profits from student fees go to the Cambodian Rural Development Team, our main partner, to provide a sustainable source of core funding for their development projects, as well as to 1001fontaines, to provide clean drinking water to school children and their families in rural areas.

www.volunteerincambodia.org

We are seeking volunteer teachers for our upcoming semester beginning 1st March 2017, as well as for future semesters beginning in June and September 2017.

Teachers teach up to 5 hours per day, Monday to Friday, for the 12 weeks. Classes focus on conversational speaking skills in a fun and informal setting. They follow our unique localized curriculum designed to address the realities of Cambodian life.

Delve into the complexities of Cambodian life through a cultural exchange with your students. Teach them relevant and useful English through localized topics. Give them a voice so they can build their confidence in English and share with you their pride of their country.

We offer newly qualified ESL teachers an opportunity to test the waters abroad, gaining approximately 200 hours classroom experience over 12 weeks; as well as on-going teaching training sessions, observations, one-on-one feedback, peer reviews, and drop-in support from our experienced Education Services Manager.

We also provide a dedicated in-country support team, optional accommodation and meals package, Khmer language lessons, cooking classes, and a range of organized social activities.

www.volunteerincambodia.org

- This is a Voluntary position, but a great way to build experience and confidence in the classroom.
- Teaching Training incl. weekly workshops, observations, one on one feedback, etc.
- Airport Pickup.
- 10 Day Orientation.
- 3 month commitment.
- No 'programme fee'. You only have to cover your own expenses. We have secure accommodation available for only $725 / 12 weeks incl. meals!
- 24 / 7 Living support, incl. Khmer language lessons, social activities, day trips, travel arrangements, cooking lessons etc.
- You directly contribute to grass roots development projects!
- Excellent opportunity for new ESL teachers to get some experience and test the waters abroad, while developing teaching skills.

Requirements:
- Native or near-native level of English
- 18+ years of age
- Submission of Criminal History Clearance
- 12 week commitment
- TEFL / TESOL / CELTA is a plus
- Motivation and enthusiasm for the challenge

Visit our website for more info and to apply:
www.volunteerincambodia.org

So eager volunteers come and spend $725 for 12 weeks, meals included (a fair price probably) and work for nothing.

Is is disgracefully suspicious to make the assumption that someone, foreign or Cambodian (or both, working as a team) is/are doing quite well out of this?

About 2 years ago, a University (nameless) in a (nameless) Cambodian city put out flyers asking for volunteers to come and teach English conversation classes;
those who did a full 20 hours were to be rewarded with a certificate recording their unswerving devotion to duty, possibly in a gilt or plastic-gilt frame.

Can I get someone to come and clean my house on the same basis?

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 1:46 pm
by frank lee bent
non profit does not mean no profit in this case

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 2:04 pm
by taabarang
"I bet they charge the students too."

They openly admit as much."
Conversations With Foreigners is a popular non-profit English language center in Phnom Penh providing affordable English classes to Khmer students from all walks of life.."..

It doesn't smell fishy to me since requirements and conditions are clearly spelled out. I've read a.lot worse. I'm not defending it nor do I have any desire to teach there or anywhere else. My big gripe is that if any not for profit organization wants a qualified teacher without pay they should supply all meals and free housing. Otherwise they are likely to get"near native speakers" whatever the fuck that could mean.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 2:07 pm
by Username Taken
Could be a good 'lurk' for salaried English teachers. Outsource your job to volunteers. Give them a certificate after 12 weeks and they'll feel a warm glowing feeling.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 3:33 pm
by willyhilly
I would do it for the food and lodging for $60 a week and no qualifications required to be a teacher. What if you signed up and called in sick every day?
Cheap living.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 3:57 pm
by rick_o'shea
CWF has been going for at least 8 or nine years. I think it's pretty well respected and volunteers get a good deal.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 5:11 pm
by boozyoldman
Compare this ad, also on DAVE"S ESL CAFE:

Two Great Teachers Grades 8 and 11 Needed ASAP in Near Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

Posted By: New Hope For Cambodian Children <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, 12 October 2016, at 1:25 p.m.

Remember why your a teacher??
Come help New Hope for Cambodian Children ( NHCC) teach the greatest kids in the world!!
NHCC provides care to orphans and abandoned children living with HIV.
We provide private accommodations, three great meals a day, WiFi, fans,hot water and 200 USD per month EVERY MONTH !!.
For information please send your CV to John Tucker [email protected]

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 5:16 pm
by Username Taken
"Remember why your a teacher??"

Let me guess. To teach the difference between 'your' and 'you're'.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 5:49 pm
by General Mackevili
All volunteer positions sound fishy to me these days.

Re: Does this volunteer offer smell fishy to you?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:46 pm
by Jamie_Lambo
in all fairness ive seen a lot worse,
this seems a good post for someone who has recently passed their tefl wanting to gain a bit of work experience